Christmas is coming to Carlsbad about a month early, thanks to the Alexander family.

Organized by Kim Alexander, a holiday bazaar is planned for Saturday at the Riverside Country Club.

Alexander said she and her husband, Matt, hosted similar events in their last town, Big Spring, Texas, but this is their first event since moving to New Mexico.

The couple and their five children, ages 5 to 17, moved to Carlsbad last summer and hope to continue helping their community spread Christmas cheer — and locally crafted decorations and other items for the holiday season.

“We always did this around the holidays,” Alexander said. “It’s just something for Carlsbad, because there’s not a lot here.”

The bazaar will feature 16 vendors selling items including clothing, decorations and furniture.

She said the bazaars back in Texas boasted up to 93 vendors, and Alexander hopes to eventually build up Carlsbad’s to the same level.

“It’s fairly small right now, but I’m hoping to do it twice a year,” she said. “We’re trying to get local people with their crafts. I know a lot of people like to buy homemade stuff for Christmas.”

About three or four vendors are from Artesia, and there are a few third-party sellers sprinkled in, but Alexander said most of the offerings at the bazaar are from Carlsbad locals.

Boosting the local community was a top priority of the event, Alexander said.

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Alexander owns Kiss My Rack BBQ Supply on South Canal Street, and plans to sell barbecue seasonings featuring secret recipes she acquired from the past four years of competitions.

“It’s not something you’re going to get at Walmart or Albertson’s,” she said. "I’ll have samples available for all my seasonings.”

Her family competed at the Smokin’ on the Pecos barbeque festival this summer in Artesia, but hopes to bring a barbeque competition to Carlsbad.

The bazaar is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Riverside Country Club.

Donations will be collected to benefit the medical expenses of JuJu Mathews, a local high school student diagnosed with cancer.

“We’re just trying to help that kid as much as possible,” Alexander said. “You never know when something like that could happen.”

Other events in Eddy County

Night of Lights is hosted by the City of Carlsbad and Creative Carlsbad from 5 to 7 p.m., Nov. 25 at Halagueno Arts Park.

Toddler Time, an hour of music and activities for children 3 and under is planned for 11 a.m., Nov. 22 at the Carlsbad Public Library.

Redemption Nutrition is holding its first ever hike to the peak at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Attendees must pay a $5 entry fee, and are asked to meet at Redemption Nutrition at 8:30 a.m., Saturday at 206 W. McKay St.

Artesia’s Holiday Bazaar at the Barn will be hosted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday next to Cottonwood Wine and Brewing, 1 Cottonwood Road.

This year’s Light Up Artesia event is planned for 4 p.m., Nov. 30 in downtown Artesia. The event features a light parade at 6 p.m., and Santa Claus taking gift requests at the 510 Gallery, 510 W. Main St.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.